Standing orders are written protocols, approved by a physician or other authorized practitioner, that authorize nurses, pharmacists, or other health care personnel (where allowed by state law) to:
- Assess a patient’s need for vaccination
- Administer the vaccine without a clinician’s direct involvement with the individual patient at the time of the interaction
Refer to Using Standing Orders for Administering Vaccines: What You Should Know for general guidance on standing orders.
Immunize.org has developed templates of standing orders for vaccines that are routinely recommended to children and adults. They are updated as needed and reviewed for technical accuracy by immunization experts. The most current versions can be accessed by going to immunize.org/standing-orders.
The Department of Public Health has recently issued a standing order allowing for all qualified pharmacy personnel at Massachusetts pharmacies to dispense and administer COVID-19 vaccine in Massachusetts to all eligible persons: Standing Order for Dispensing and Administration of COVID-19 vaccine: 2025-2026.